Members of the Karakachani community in Bulgaria are convening for their 19th national get-together Saturday in Karandila nearby Sliven.

Karakachani – also known as Sarakatsani – are a people living in northern Greece, Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria, traditionally leading a semi-sedentary life connected to herding.

They have their own language, which is built on a Greek basis with many Slavic and other loanwords.

In Bulgaria, 4100 people registered themselves as Karakachani in the 2001 census, with most of them residing around Sliven in south-eastern Bulgaria and in the Stara Planina mountains.

This weekend's event will feature traditional Karakachani music and crafts and a traditional Karakachani feast. It will be launched at 16.00 EET with a concert of traditional folk music.

Many guests from Greece are also expected.

The official opening of the event will be 11.00 EET Sunday at Karandila near Sliven.

Some 4,000 people are expected at the event.